Ellis Island - worth visiting?

A visit to Ellis Island is always high on the list of must sees in the travel guides etc. and I%26#39;ve not taken the opportunity to visit on my two previous trips. The problem is that it takes a large chunk out of a limited time itinerary - especially when you factor in waiting time etc. Is it likely to have the same impact on a Brit with no links to the USA than to folk who%26#39;s family settled there?

I%26#39;m spending a day in Philadelphia this trip for my history fix and wonder whether a trip to the island might be more of the same sort of stuff?

I know this comes down to personal preference but would be interested in what others, particularly fellow Brits advise?

Thanks in advance

Ellis Island - worth visiting?

Yes it is worth a visit.We are from England and my wife knew a distant member of her family may have gone to the USA some 70 to 80 years ago.However even if you have no name to look up this is a great place to go.I am not into history at all but it is such an evocative place you really feel for these lives that passed through Ellis Island.We only spent about 2 hours at Ellis but enjoyed it.

Ellis Island - worth visiting?

absolutly! we are all people...Ellis Island is a emotional tour, just seeing what these immigrants had to endure, just getting in. Take the audio tour, brings it all alive and so worthwhile.. You will hear actual immigrants voices and the sounds of those days....Don%26#39;t miss it!

Philladelphia will give you an entirely different experience than Ellis Island since Phil is a real city and Ellis Island isn%26#39;t. I%26#39;m a big fan of Ellis Island, but frankly, unless you%26#39;re the type who likes museums and such I think you might not be so interested in Ellis Island. As you say, it%26#39;s a big chunk of time and ultimately it comes down to personal preference.

Seems like you have essentially made up your mind about Ellis Island!

If you do go, all you will be thinking about is how much time it is taking and what else you could be doing.

While I do think it is a worthwhile attraction, in your case, with your present mindset I would do something else.

Poppa

Ellis Island is amazing. Neither of us had relatives who travelled through there, that we know of, but that doesn%26#39;t stop it being part of our history. We found EI to be extremely moving and well worth the time it took.

I highly recommend a trip to EI. The tour is quite powerful and will bring a tear to your eye, that i%26#39;m sure.

If you take the first ferry that leaves (winter first ferry 09.30am) i think. The ferry will stop off at SOL first, then on to EI. Do not get off at SOL, go straight to EI, and you will be one of the first there. Allow yourself two hours to view.

we loved it . be sure and buy the audio tour, really brings it back to life .

Thanks to everyone for the helpful responses. My inclination was to go - now confirmed. I%26#39;ve had two chanced before and passed Though you%26#39;re right poppa - I was having doubts - hence the question. Now all I have to do is decipher the information on the Circle Line site!

Thanks again to everyone for the advice.